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The Body Mind Spirit Expo travels across the country to showcase advancements in alternative health, shining a spotlight on personal growth and metaphysics. During the celebration of all things holistic, visitors amble through the event space on a day-long jaunt as they munch on sample Luna bars and stop to match wits with astrologists, aromatherapists, natural healers, psychics, and mediums. Throughout the jam-packed agendas, speakers populate podiums for lectures that cover a hodgepodge of holistic subjects, ranging from theories on Atlantis's location to a speech on how to master life planning without making a to-do list on one's birth certificate.

Under the direction of artistic director and esteemed trumpeter Orbert Davis, the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic dazzles audiences with fresh riffs on jazz masterpieces. During the band’s tribute to Miles Davis, the Orbert Davis Sextet performs a rearrangement of the jazz great's milestone album, Kind of Blue, a work noted for its sensual horns, moody tempo, and liner notes written by Cookie Monster. In the second act, the 19-piece Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble assembles onstage to revisit Kind of Blue's immediate successor, Sketches of Spain. With a specially recruited lineup of strings and brass, the ensemble explores the record's Latin-flavored nuances, conjuring images of spectral gypsies and matadors wearing Ray-Bans. During both performances, audiences' vehicles can enjoy the majesty of floating quarter notes from cozy, free parking spots.

The Skatium Ice Arena offers public skating on most weekday mornings and during weekend afternoons and evenings. Check out the full calendar for a complete list of public skating times. Savvy skaters can figure-eight their way around the full-size hockey rink, while novice ice walkers can lock hands with that special someone, strictly for balance purposes. Use the sessions to perfect your triple Lutz, or treat 10 strangers to an ice-breaking afternoon.

With sizzling pans of their finest dishes in tow, chefs and cooks from across town congregate at the annual Taste of Skokie Valley to dish out tastings and support their community. At the event, which benefits more than 30 local and international charities, they’ll pile plates high with samples of their plump burgers, international delicacies, and frosting-laden cupcakes. When they’re not grilling, stirring, or slicing, the chefs chatter amicably with guests, raising their voices ever so slightly to be heard over the soft hum of the crowd and lively music from Michael Lerich and his Orchestra.
The silent auction and raffle also keep things local, doling out prizes such as gift cards to local shopping malls or maps to locally buried pirate treasure.

Headlined by a trio of brainy joke crafters, The Evolution of Comedy Tour skewers superstition and politics from the storied stage of Laffs Comedy Caffe. Ian Harris, Jason Resler, and Maurice Northup combine skepticism, rationality, and humor to roast commonly held beliefs in the tradition of no-holds-barred social commentary. T-shirts emblazoned with the tour's logo demonstrate the wearer's logical inclinations and fear of exposing long-regretted flat-Earth chest tattoos. Over its comic-hosting career, spanning back to 1989, the brick-backed stage of Laffs Comedy Caffe has seen the observations of such beloved jokesters as Jerry Seinfeld, Mitch Hedberg, and Robin Williams.

A two-time winner of the Illinois Council of Orchestras'' Orchestra of the Year award, Ars Viva thrills ears with musical programs expertly curated by veteran Maestro Alan Heatherington. "A Sunday Serenade" kicks off with Antonín Dvořák's Serenade for Winds, centered around delicate woodwind melodies and boasting a sweeping finish more powerful than a locomotive with a smokestack full of protein shake. Mozart's Serenade no. 12 weaves darker tunes together with contrapuntal harmonies, and Johannes Brahms's Serenade no. 2 showcases the monumental composer's lighter side with charming, high-energy euphonies. Before each piece, Heatherington dons a square academic cap and shares his symphonic sagacity with audiences, providing background on the tunes and their creators.

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On this week’s agenda: fall at the Museum of Science and Industry, an all-star hip-hop fest in Union Park, a trip to the '80s with WhirlyBall, Lifeline Theatre Company's Jane Eyre, and the hats of Dr. Seuss. Enjoy yourself, and as always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in Chicago.
Museum of Science and Industry
Hyde Park | Ongoing
As the cool weather settles in, the Museum of Science and Industry welcomes curious crowds for an autumn of indoor learning. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum has a full slate of special exhibits in the works, including the current Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives and upcoming Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze. (5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.; $69+; buy tickets here)
Aahh!! Fest
West Loop | Sunday, September 21
Curated by Chicago hip-hop elder Common, Aahh!! Fest celebrates the creation of the rapper's Chicago Youth Jobs Collaborative. Common himself is on the bill, along with fellow hometown favorites Lupe Fiasco and Jennifer Hudson, and legendary NYC trio De La Soul. Comedian (and legend in his own right) Dave Chappelle hosts. (1501 W. Randolph St.; $65+; buy tickets here)
WhirlyBall '80s Party
Lincoln Park | Wednesday, September 24
Playing a sport that combines lacrosse and bumper cars makes you thirsty. This week, WhirlyBall hosts an '80s-themed affair featuring the brews and brewers from Tallgrass (and free WhirlyBall!). If you can't make Wednesday, grab our deal for WhirlyBall and come out any time. (1880 W. Fullerton Ave.; free; RSVP here)
Jane Eyre
Rogers Park | Through October 26
In this brisk adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's classic novel, Lifeline Theatre Company brings audiences back to Thornfield Hall and all of the candlelit secrets it contains. Anu Bhatt brings life to the titular governess, whose own maturation becomes entwined with her complex love for troubled householder Edward Rochester. (6912 N. Glenwood Ave.; $20+; buy tickets here)
Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!
Magnificent Mile | Through October 12
If you've read The Cat in the Hat or The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, it won't surprise you to learn that Dr. Seuss was a hat aficionado. What might surprise you is that his hats are now on tour, offering visitors to Water Tower Place a glimpse into the sartorial life of one of children's literature's greats. (835 N. Michigan Ave.; free)
Image credits: Museum courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry; WhirlyBall courtesy of WhirlyBall; Jane Eyre courtesy of Lifeline Theatre Company

When you search “boutique hotel Chicago” you see a lot of familiar names: Hilton, W, Conrad, Marriott. Search “bed and breakfast Chicago,” and you’ll net a lot of places that don’t even have 312 or 773 area codes. Bottom line: it can be hard to find a place to stay outside of the Loop, and even harder to find a spot that doesn’t conform to the conglomo-hotel stereotype.Below, we’ve rounded up six inns that put guests right in the thick of some of Chicago’s most energetic neighborhoods. All are ideal if you want to stow guests closer to home, or if you’re just eager to hole up someplace quaint for a weekend staycation. But be warned: these spots are so charming, you might be tempted to just stay in your room all weekend.Lincoln Park | Hotel Lincoln (1816 N. Clark)Number of rooms: 184Average price: $169–$409/nightIn walking distance: Lincoln Park Zoo, Geja’s Cafe, Park West, Lakefront Trail, Second City, Steppenwolf, Clark bus to Wrigley Field, and onsite restaurant Perennial Virant, from Michelin-starred chef Paul VirantDesign style: Locavore prep. Think plenty of plaid, stripes, and houndstooth mixed with work from local artists and pillows screenprinted with photos from the zoo and other Chicago destinations.Amenities: Pet-friendly, iPod/iPad docking stations in each room, and a 24-hour fitness center.Wicker Park | Ruby Room (1743-45 W. Division)Number of rooms: 8Average price: $149–$185/nightIn walking distance: Damen bus to the United Center, Division Street and Milwaukee Avenue shopping corridors, The Bedford, MANA Food Bar, SmallBar, Blue Line train to O’HareDesign style: Shabby chic. The lack of elevator in this historic building hints at the wainscoting and hand-selected quilts waiting inside rooms, though modern updates include steam showers and luxurious pillow-top mattresses.Amenities: Onsite salon and spa, Aveda products in the bathrooms, secret garden with waterfall and koi pond, and complimentary access to a nearby gym.Logan Square | Longman & Eagle (2657 N. Kedzie)Number of rooms: 6Average price: $85–$250/nightIn walking distance: Logan Square Auditorium, Billy Sunday, Stan Mansion, Scofflaw, Parson’s Chicken & Fish, Saki Records, The Whistler, Slippery Slope, Revolution Brewing, Blue Line train to O’HareDesign style: Vintage with an edge. Rustic touches like knotted-wood paneling and exposed plumbing are balanced by glassed-in showers, midcentury-style furniture, and modern art.Amenities: All rooms have Apple TV, which includes apps such as Netflix and YouTube, and select rooms have vintage audio equipment, stand-alone bathtubs, and art installations.Bucktown | Ray’s Bucktown B&B (2144 N. Leavitt)Number of rooms: 11Average price: $129–$219/nightIn walking distance: The Bristol, Coast Sushi Bar, Gallery Cabaret, Concord Music Hall, Damen bus to Violet Hour, Big Star, Double Door, Blue Line train to O’HareDesign style: Like home. This B&B is decorated just like the guest room at Mom and Dad’s. Several rooms have multiple beds, making them great for groups or families.Amenities: Complimentary breakfast (in bed upon request), sauna and steam room, and DVR.Edgewater | House 5863 Bed & Breakfast (5863 N. Glenwood)Number of rooms: 5Average price: $99–$189/nightIn walking distance: Red Line train, Aragon Ballroom, Riviera Theatre, The Green Mill, and Michelin-rated Demera Ethiopian RestaurantDesign style: Comfy minimalism. The rooms are devoid of clutter, and the high-pile rugs and king-size beds make it hard to want to leave.Other amenities: Outdoor garden with café tables, and select rooms have a steam shower, direct access to a common deck, or bay windows.Lakeview | Old Chicago Inn (3222 N. Sheffield)Number of rooms: 10Average price: $100–$165/nightIn walking distance: Wrigley Field, Schubas Tavern, The Vic, Chicago Bagel Authority, Sheffield’s, Ann Sather, ComedySportz Theatre, Theater Wit/Stage 773Design style: Antique. There are vintage furnishings in each room, such as the fainting couch and fireplace pictured above.Amenities: Select rooms have sleeper sofas, and onsite bar Room 13 Speakeasy has classic cocktails and live music.Check out deals on hotels in Chicago and other Midwestern destinations.Photos courtesy of Hotel Lincoln, Ruby Room, Longman & Eagle, Ray’s Bucktown B&B, House 5863 Bed & Breakfast, Old Chicago Inn.

On this week’s agenda: a drag show at Hydrate, Chicago's Bloody Mary Competition, the last of this year's Cubs games, the Goodman Theatre's season opener, and a visit with the Lemonheads. Enjoy yourself, and as always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in Chicago.
Beauties & Beaus
Boystown | Every Saturday
Chicago's fiercest drag performers and buffest male dancers hit the stage at Hydrate for a Vegas-style revue that kicks off Saturday night's festivities. They'll strut and shimmy to the beats spun by the bar's resident DJs; expect a pulse-hiking mix of house, EDM, and Top 40 tracks. (3458 N. Halsted St.; $16+; buy tickets here)
Chicago's Bloody Mary Competition
Lincoln Park | Sunday, September 14
The bloody mary is the noblest of brunch-time drinks, and the organizers of Chicago's Bloody Mary Competition are finally giving it the recognition it deserves. Competitors from more than a dozen area bars and restaurants will craft their signature takes, inviting visitors to Park West to sample and score them. (322 W. Armitage Ave.; $35; buy tickets here)
Chicago Cubs from the Rooftops
Wrigleyville | Through September 24
Don't look now, but the Cubbies look like they're poised to compete … in a couple of years. Get behind the club's youth movement with rooftop tickets to the final home games of 2014. In-between refills on bottomless snacks and drinks, evaluate the team's next-gen stars from the comfort of Sheffield Baseball Club properties. (3617 N. Sheffield Ave.; $69+; buy tickets here)
The World of Extreme Happiness
The Loop | Through October 12
The Goodman Theatre opens its fall season with this bittersweet comedy set against the backdrop of China's rocket-propelled economic growth. The play follows Sunny, a factory worker whose designs on upward mobility bring her into conflict with a system that has other plans. (170 N. Dearborn St.; $10+; buy tickets here)
Lemonheads
Berwyn | Friday, September 19
After nearly 30 years as frontman of alternative outfit The Lemonheads, Evan Dando’s voice remains as smooth as ever. During the band's set at Wire in Berwyn, he'll bust out '90s MTV favorites like ''Drug Buddy'' and ''It's A Shame About Ray,” and might even play some cuts from a rumored forthcoming album. Mike Kinsella and Kittyhawk handle opening duties. (6815 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn; $20; buy tickets here)
Photo credits: Drag show image courtesy of Hydrate; Bloody mary photo courtesy of Chicago's Bloody Mary Competition; Cubs image courtesy of Sheffield Baseball Club